mikawa

Congrats to Mitakeumi and Yoshikaze, a performance worthy of the yusho and a performance not worthy of a 0-15. It's not the first time someone has defeated Tochiozan to win his first yusho, just look at Kyokutenho

Some fancy footwork there from Yutakayama, it's amazing the way he somehow avoided stepping out first. It's getting more and more painful to see the way Yoshikaze getting such good tachi-ais but still unable to finish an opponent off. Only two bouts left though to avoid that 0-15. And as Moti-san said in his video, Daishomaru showing how a kotenage can be executed without executing the opponent.

Personally I feel that the Mitakeumi-Takayasu bout should have gone to a torinaoshi, but now it does mean that Mitakeumi needs another good basho to make Ozeki, which would probably be better for him in the long run. Kagayaki was in a no win situation today against Ichinojo. He wasn't going anywhere whilst his left hand was forced to limit Ichinojo's right hand, but as soon as he tried to change it to an inside grip, the opportunity was there for him to be thrown. Granted though, Ichinojo took it very well.

Ishiura coming up with "The Duck" today at the tachi-ai, reminiscent of Mainoumi's sumo back in the day, that was cool to see. Things aren't gonna get any easier for Takayasu for the moment, he's got Mitakeumi tomorrow.

第8回全日本大学選抜相撲金沢大会 Individual Competition Winner - Yamaguchi Reo (山口 怜央), Kindai University, Osaka Runner-Up - Motobayashi Kenji (元林 健治), Kindai University, Osaka Semi-Finals - Kitagawa Hajime (北川 甫), Toyo University, Tokyo Semi-Finals - Tanioka Koshiro (谷岡 倖志郎), Kindai University, Osaka Quarter-Finals - Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁), Toyo University, Tokyo Quarter-Finals - Nishino Tomonori (西野 倫理), Toyo University, Tokyo Quarter-Finals - Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅), Toyo University, Tokyo Quarter-Finals - Hoshiba Shinsuke (干場 伸介), Toyo University, Tokyo Team Competition Winner - Nihon University Enami Masashi (榎波 将史) ･ Kawazoe Keita (川副 圭太) ･ Kato Shota (加藤 翔太) ･ Sawada Hitoshi (沢田 日登志) ･ Takeuchi Kosei (竹内 宏晟) Runner-Up - Nippon Sport Science University Okutani Hidemune (奥谷 英宗) ･ Nishi Taisei (西 大星) ･ Purebusuren (プレブスレン デルゲルバヤル) ･ Takahashi Yuta (高橋 優太) ･ Ishizaki Takuma (石崎 拓馬) Semi-Finals - Toyo University Semi-Finals - Kindai University Quarter-Finals - Meiji University Quarter-Finals - Takushoku University Quarter-Finals - Waseda University Quarter-Finals - Chuo University Videos Individual Quarter-Final #1 - Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁), Toyo University vs Kitagawa Hajime (北川 甫), Toyo University Individual Quarter-Final #2 - Motobayashi Kenji (元林 健治), Kindai University vs Nishino Tomonori (西野 倫理), Toyo University Individual Quarter-Final #3 - Yamaguchi Reo (山口 怜央), Kindai University vs Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅), Toyo University Individual Quarter-Final #4 - Hoshiba Shinsuke (干場 伸介), Toyo University vs Tanioka Koshiro (谷岡 倖志郎), Kindai University Individual Semi-Final #1 - Kitagawa Hajime (北川 甫), Toyo University vs Motobayashi Kenji (元林 健治), Kindai University Individual Semi-Final #2 - Yamaguchi Reo (山口 怜央), Kindai University vs Tanioka Koshiro (谷岡 倖志郎), Kindai University Individual Final - Motobayashi Kenji (元林 健治), Kindai University vs Yamaguchi Reo (山口 怜央), Kindai University Team Semi-Final #1 - Toyo University vs Nippon Sport Science University Team Semi-Final #2 - Nihon University vs Kindai University Team Final - Nippon Sport Science University vs Nihon University Comments If Toyo University have Shiroyama Seira, then Kindai University have Yamaguchi Reo. Both entered college sumo as High School Yokozuna, and both have impacted on the college sumo scene very early on. His pull down of his Kindai team-mate, the bigger Motobayashi, in the final was very well timed, as was his spin to stay inside the dohyo. This kid has skill, as some would say. This was an incredible tournament for Kindai University, who claimed 3 of the top 4 spots. Yamaguchi and Motobayashi are amongst the best college rikishi at the moment, and Tanioka's not far behind either. For Toyo however, it was a day to forget, as even though they had 5 rikishi in the top 8, only one made it to the semi-finals, and even that was because his opponent was also from Toyo. Shiroishi seemed to be a bit high from his tachi-ais for some reason, while Shiroyama's performance has just been disappointing for someone of his calibre. Nishino did well in his quarter-final against Motobayashi, so close to getting a quick victory, but that attempted pull backfired as Motobayashi took the opportunity to get a morozashi-grip and drove Nishino out. In the team competition, Toyo University were clear favourites at the start of the day, as they had already claimed the Uwajima and the Usa titles this year. However, they were sub-par for most of the day (though they did beat Kindai 4-1 in the preliminaries), and capitulated in the semi-finals against Nippon Sport Science University. This opened the door for a Kindai yusho, but individual winner Yamaguchi suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Nihon's Sawada Hitoshi, presumably the younger brother of former Wanpaku Yokozuna Sawada Hideo. And so we had an all so familiar final match-up between the traditional powerhouses and huge rivals of Nihon and Nippon Sport Science, where the former came out on top (only just). A lot of credit has to go to Nihon's first-year rikishi Kawazoe Keita, who came up with back-to-back utcharis, somehow, in back-to-back 3-2 wins. He has a younger brother called Kawazoe Fuma, who will be the favourite to claim this year's Middle School Yokozuna title. Honourable mentions go to Nippon Sport Science's second year Ishizaki and first year Takahashi, who are both names to watch out for. Ishizaki Takuma is college sumo's very own Ishiura, while Takahashi Yuta was No.7 in last year's High School rankings. One other thing - Nihon's Kato Shota used to be captain of Komatsuryu Dojo, John Gunning's club.

A bit of a celebration going on there after his win today from Hokutofuji, not something you see everyday. Was that an intentional move by Ichinojo? Talk about innovation and thinking outside the box.

Probably for the reason I mentioned in a recent amateur sumo post - "A friend once explained that the reason the Honbashos are held at their current locations is because Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya are the 3 largest metropolitan areas in Japan"

That was such a hairy moment (excuse the pun) for Takayasu today, but he should be safe now. But for Goeido? The rollercoaster ride continues...... As much as I like Takakeisho, it was difficult to watch Yoshikaze going 0-9, things are just not working for him at the moment. An injury maybe?

Watching Goeido is like watching Arsenal in recent years, you never quite know what kind of a performance he's going to come up with

Injuries are catching up to the great Hakuho now, could we have seen his final yusho? If so, at least he's already past the 40 mark. Takakeisho beating Takayasu - wow. Tamawashi beating Tochinoshin - WOW.

Really says something about Tochinoshin's sumo at the moment that getting a morozashi against him is actually a bad thing......

Kaisei had the perfect strategy today against Takakeisho - you want to stay off the belt? Out you go.

Birth of a Star Location - Anamizu Town Sumo Ground (穴水町営相撲場), Anamizu, Ishikawa Keiko - Unknown Situated about halfway between Anamizu High School and Anamizuya Baseball Field, Anamizu Junior Sumo Club (穴水少年相撲教室) are a big name on the amateur sumo circuit, having been national club champions back in 2008. Below are 2 videos of Anamizu's club members doing keiko, followed by a video where they state their aspirations for 2011. The third and final video also celebrated their ace rikishi, Sato Atsushi (佐藤 淳史), becoming Primary School Yokozuna. Sato Atsushi has been a prominent rikishi during his high school years, and is currently a second year student at Nihon University. When it comes to Anamizu Junior Sumo Club, there's one member we simply have to talk about, although he could easily have been part of the basketball club instead (thanks to Slam Dunk). Born in Anamizu, a town that has produced the likes of Oeyama, Kiyoenami and Daishoyama (the current Oitekaze-oyakata), this boy started sumo during his first year at primary school. Through sumo, his dad hoped that his mind and body can be properly trained. However, this boy hated sumo at first, even refusing to go to keiko, but soon gave in to his father. However, he would always leave the house when sumo matches started on TV, and when he avoided practice, he would always go and hide inside his grandfather's home. The then vice-president of Anamizu Sumo Association, Ueno Katsuhiko, commented that "He was bigger than other children around him, but used to cry a lot, and more than once wanted to quit sumo." He was so afraid of his coach Ueno that there has been times when he would not go to keiko because of this. However, every time Ueno gave him advice about his sumo, he would always correct them immediately. This honesty would take him far, said Ueno. His former classmate recalled that "He had a sister who was 3 years younger than him, and I remember him being moved to tears by his sister. He was that gentle a person. There were only 13 people in our year group, so we spent 6 whole years together. I have never seen him get angry, not even once". Things started to change when he saw Asashoryu's bouts on TV during Grade 5, and was inspired by the spirit, speed and skill that the Yokozuna has always shown. He began to appreciate sumo more and more. It was during this period that he had the opportunity to meet the Yokozuna face-to-face during a Jungyo in Kanazawa, and so, from then on, he has always set himself the goal to become as great a rikishi as Asashoryu. The turning point however, came when he lost a bout during a tournament in Suzu City, and he started crying. See this, Ueno scolded him loudly, and told him to "don't come to keiko anymore if you carry on crying". After that, he would practise harder and harder, and results began to show. Also, he would no longer cry in front of other people. This boy would go on to become a major name in amateur sumo during middle school and high school, and during his final year at university, he would simultaneous hold the Amateur Yokozuna and Kokutai Yokozuna titles, quite an achievement. Since turning pro, he has set the record for the fastest top division debut of all time (4 bashos), and has been a fan favourite even since. But who could he be?

第35回全日本大学選抜相撲宇和島大会 Individual Competition Winner - Motobayashi Kenji (元林 健治), Kindai University, Osaka Runner-Up - Enami Masashi (榎波 将史), Nihon University, Tokyo Semi-Finals - Ishizaki Takuma (石崎 拓馬), Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo Semi-Finals - Purebusuren (プレブスレン デルゲルバヤル), Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo Quarter-Finals - Sato Atsushi (佐藤 淳史), Nihon University, Tokyo Quarter-Finals - Kikuchi Hiroshige (菊池 大史芽), Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo Quarter-Finals - Tomisakae Hideki (冨栄 秀喜), Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo Quarter-Finals - Yamaguchi Reo (山口 怜央), Kindai University, Osaka Team Competition Winner - Toyo University Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅) ･ Shigematsu Tatsuhiro (重松 龍大) ･ Nishino Tomonori (西野 倫理) ･ Fukai Takuto (深井 拓斗) ･ Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁) Runner-Up - Chuo University Nishikawa Toki (西川 登輝) ･ Sumigi Genta (住木 厳太) ･ Sugano Yota (菅野 陽太) ･ Tanaka Daisuke (田中 大介) ･ Nakamura Yusei (中村 悠星) Semi-Finals - Kindai University Semi-Finals - Nippon Sport Science University Quarter-Finals - Tokyo University of Agriculture Quarter-Finals - Takushoku University Quarter-Finals - Meiji University Quarter-Finals - Nihon University Videos Individual Final - Enami Masashi (榎波 将史), Nihon University vs Motobayashi Kenji (元林 健治), Kindai University Team Final - Toyo University vs Chuo University Comments He pulled, and he, won? Motobayashi Kenji pulled (excuse the pun) a Kakuryu there in the final to take the first individual championship of 2018. Runner-up at last year's National Student Championships, 4th year Motobayashi had a relative easy route to the final, which he took full advantage of. His name will probably come up a few times over the course of this year. The rikishi at Kindai University have some big shoes to fill, considering the success of their senpai last year. So far, they have been up to the challenge, as Enami claims individual silver while their team reached the semi-finals. Former High School Yokozuna and 2nd year Yamaguchi Reo has been very impressive so far, and has started off 2018 with a quarter-final finish. Meanwhile, Toyo University have completely obliterated their competition to successfully defend their Uwajima title from last year. And I say obliterated because their results last Sunday were 5-0 vs Ritsumeikan, 4-1 vs Kyushu Institute of Information Sciences, 5-0 vs Meiji, 5-0 vs Tokyo University of Agriculture, 4-1 vs Kindai and 5-0 vs Chuo. They will certainly take some stopping this year.

The other semi-finalist is called Taki Keisuke (瀧 啓介)

A bit late but, congrats to Tochinoshin for making it to Ozeki, especially after having to fight back from Makushita, and to Kakuryu for getting his 5th Yusho. Kyokutaisei was very impressive also in his Makuuchi debut. Tochinoshin at the moment reminds me of Baruto back when he got his yusho, a huge amount of raw strength which opponents are struggling to handle.

There doesn't seem to be a generic site for high school results, best bet would be to check the individual tournament websites

第102回全国高校相撲金沢大会 Individual Competition Winner - Hanada Hidetora (花田 秀虎), Wakayama Commercial High School, Wakayama Runner-Up - Haruyama Mantaro (春山 万太郎), Saitama Sakae High School, Saitama Semi-Finals - Saito Daisuke (齋藤 大輔), Saitama Sakae High School, Saitama Semi-Finals - Nakamura Taiki (中村 泰輝), Kaiyo High School, Niigata Team Competition Winner - Saitama Sakae High School Runner-Up - Kanazawa Gakuin High School Semi-Finals - Hiryu High School Semi-Finals - Kanazawa Technical High School Videos Individual Semi-Final #1 - Saito Daisuke (齋藤 大輔), Saitama Sakae High School vs Haruyama Mantaro (春山 万太郎), Saitama Sakae High School Individual Semi-Final #2 - Nakamura Taiki (中村 泰輝), Kaiyo High School vs Hanada Hidetora (花田 秀虎), Wakayama Commercial High School Individual Final - Haruyama Mantaro (春山 万太郎), Saitama Sakae High School vs Hanada Hidetora (花田 秀虎), Wakayama Commercial High School Team Semi-Final #1 - Hiryu High School vs Saitama Sakae High School Team Semi-Final #2 - Kanazawa Technical High School vs Kanazawa Gakuin High School Team Final - Saitama Sakae High School vs Kanazawa Gakuin High School Comments This year's high school sumo scene is shaping up to be a 2-horse race, with Saitama's Saito Daisuke and Wakayama's Hanada Hidetora being the ones to beat. Both of them are incredibly skilled rikishi who know their way around the dohyo, which is always great to see. This time around, Saito lost out to his Saitama club-mate Haruyama Mantaro, which paved the way for Hanada to claim the individual title. Because Haruyama is so familiar with Saito from their keikos, he knew that he had to keep Saito off the belt, which he duly did, and an opportunistic push to the side was enough to send an unbalanced Saito out of the ring. I hope to cover Haruyama Mantaro in the next amateur sumo rivalries story, as this may be relevant for the coming year. A team consisting of Saito, Haruyama and former Middle School Yokozuna Kamiyama Ryuichi proved too strong for their competition, as Saitama Sakae successfully defended their Kanazawa title from last year. Like Toyo University in college sumo, they will be difficult to beat this year. On a side note, kudos to all those cheering students, they really did an amazing job.

Solid solid sumo today from Tochinoshin, just like all his other bouts this year, such power, just wow.

Following on from the Middle School banzuke, here is the banzuke for High School rikishi, which is created by adding up their results in national competitions during the past 12 months. Most of them are third (final) year students in High School, but there are some who are still in their second year. Every banzuke will list the top 42 rikishi in each category. This banzuke takes into account the following tournaments: 101st High School Sumo Kanazawa Tournament 95th Inter-High 66th High School Sumo Towada Tournament 59th High School Sumo Usa Tournament 72nd Kokutai (Junior Division) But before that, here are the top 10 High Schools of the past year, based on their results in the team competitions: 1 - Saitama Sakae High School (埼玉栄高校), Saitama 2 - Adachi Shinden High School (足立新田高校), Tokyo 3 - Tottori Johoku High School (鳥取城北高校), Tottori 4 - Kanazawa Gakuin High School (金沢学院高校), Ishikawa 5 - Sanbongi Agriculture High School (三本木農業高校), Aomori 6 - Buntoku High School (文徳高校), Kumamoto 7 - Kaiyo High School (海洋高校), Niigata 8 - Mukainooka Technical High School (向の岡工業高校), Kanagawa 9 - Kanazawa Technical High School (金沢市立工業高校), Ishikawa 10 - Takushoku University Koryo High School (拓殖大学紅陵高校), Chiba East Yokozuna - Amarsanaa (アマルサナー), Tottori Johoku High School, Tottori West Yokozuna - Byambasuren (ビャンバスレン), Nittaidai Kashiwa High School, Chiba East Ozeki - Naya Konosuke (納谷 幸之介), Saitama Sakae High School, Saitama West Ozeki - Hoshiba Shinsuke (干場 伸介), Kanazawa Technical High School, Ishikawa East Sekiwake - Saito Daisuke (齋藤 大輔), Saitama Sakae High School, Saitama West Sekiwake - Ishioka Mikiya (石岡 弥輝也), Tottori Johoku High School, Tottori East Komusubi - Takahashi Yuta (高橋 優太), Kaiyo High School, Niigata West Komusubi - Ida Shota (井田 翔太), Minoshima High School, Wakayama East Maegashira 1 - Imazeki Shunsuke (今関 俊介), Adachi Shinden High School, Tokyo West Maegashira 1 - Toma Tsuguto (當眞 嗣斗), Tottori Johoku High School, Tottori East Maegashira 2 - Kanzaki Taiga (神﨑 大河), Kindai High School, Osaka West Maegashira 2 - Hatsuyama Sho (羽出山 将), Adachi Shinden High School, Tokyo East Maegashira 3 - Sumigi Genta (住木 厳太), Nomura High School, Ehime West Maegashira 3 - Umeki Ryujiro (梅木 竜治郎), Hita Rinko High School, Oita East Maegashira 4 - Nakanishi Yusei (中西 勇成), Buntoku High School, Kumamoto West Maegashira 4 - Kawazoe Keita (川副 圭太), Buntoku High School, Kumamoto East Maegashira 5 - Hanada Hidetora (花田 秀虎), Wakayama Commercial High School, Wakayama West Maegashira 5 - Daito Koki (大塔 昂貴), Meitoku Gijuku High School, Kochi East Maegashira 6 - Yamauchi Ko (山内 康), Sanbongi Agriculture High School, Aomori West Maegashira 6 - Tebakari Toshiki (手計 富士紀), Saitama Sakae High School, Saitama East Maegashira 7 - Shiroma Ryusei (城間 瑠正), Central Norin High School, Okinawa West Maegashira 7 - Kudo Koya (工藤 光矢), Hirosaki Jitsugyo High School, Aomori East Maegashira 8 - Odkhuu (オドフー), Meitoku Gijuku High School, Kochi West Maegashira 8 - Nakamura Taiki (中村 泰輝), Kaiyo High School, Niigata East Maegashira 9 - Matsumura Shogo (松村 将伍), Mukainooka Technical High School, Kanagawa West Maegashira 9 - Tanahashi Ryota (棚橋 亮太), Gifu Norin High School, Gifu East Maegashira 10 - Tsushida Amu (津志田 亜睦), Tairadate High School, Iwate West Maegashira 10 - Iso Koki (磯 晃城), Shonan High School, Kagoshima East Maegashira 11 - Kamiyama Ryuichi (神山 龍一), Saitama Sakae High School, Saitama West Maegashira 11 - Akiba Taku (秋葉 拓), Sakata Koryo High School, Yamagata East Maegashira 12 - Satoyama Yuki (里山 雄樹), Kanazawa Gakuin High School, Ishikawa West Maegashira 12 - Suzuki Yuto (鈴木 優斗), Hiryu High School, Shizuoka East Maegashira 13 - Kayo Yoshimune (嘉陽 快宗), Kaiyo High School, Niigata West Maegashira 13 - Kominato Kaio (小湊 海王), Mukainooka Technical High School, Kanagawa East Maegashira 14 - Saito Yoshihide (斉藤 善英), Nakatsuhigashi High School, Oita West Maegashira 14 - Saito Makoto (斉藤 誠), Sanbongi Agriculture High School, Aomori East Maegashira 15 - Arikawa Masaki (有川 真生), Tsurukojokan High School, Yamanashi West Maegashira 15 - Kasai Towa (葛西 永遠), Goshogawara Norin High School, Aomori East Maegashira 16 - Tanioka Iori (谷岡 伊織), Kindai High School, Osaka West Maegashira 16 - Akashiba Tatsuhiro (赤芝 龍洋), Kanazawa Technical High School, Ishikawa East Maegashira 17 - Maeda Yuto (前田 悠翔), Kanazawa Gakuin High School, Ishikawa West Maegashira 17 - Yoshida Rion (吉田 利恩), Takaoka Koryo High School, Toyama Sanyaku Photos East Yokozuna - Amarsanaa (アマルサナー), Tottori Johoku High School, Tottori West Yokozuna - Byambasuren (ビャンバスレン), Nittaidai Kashiwa High School, Chiba East Ozeki - Naya Konosuke (納谷 幸之介), Saitama Sakae High School, Saitama West Ozeki - Hoshiba Shinsuke (干場 伸介), Kanazawa Technical High School, Ishikawa East Sekiwake - Saito Daisuke (齋藤 大輔), Saitama Sakae High School, Saitama West Sekiwake - Ishioka Mikiya (石岡 弥輝也), Tottori Johoku High School, Tottori East Komusubi - Takahashi Yuta (高橋 優太), Kaiyo High School, Niigata West Komusubi - Ida Shota (井田 翔太), Minoshima High School, Wakayama Comments Last year saw the first ever Mongolian High School Yokozuna in history. During the same period, the 2 most successful High School rikishi are both Mongolian. Seems fitting doesn't it? The Inter-High was actually Amarsanaa's only tournament victory last year, but he did enough in the other tournaments to win the race with Byambasuren by only 1 point. With Tottori Johoku claiming 2 of the sanyaku spots (Amarsanaa and Ishioka), new team captain Toma and his team-mates certainly have some big shoes to fill. West Yokozuna Byambasuren has shown all the skills and quickness of a Mongolian wrestler, and like his uncle Asashoryu, a talent for sumo. His best result last year was coming second in the Inter-High, which would have equalled the best finishing for a Mongolian rikishi, if not for the winner being his compatriot. Byambasuren is now a pro sumotori, wrestling under the shikona Hoshoryu, and has started off his sumo career with a 6-1, with his only loss being to Naya Konosuke, who won the Jonokuchi Yusho last month. Speaking of, Kokutai winner Naya only missed out on a Yokozuna spot by 1 point (it was an extremely tight race for the top 3). He is the grandson of the late Yokozuna Taiho, and has been steadily improving over the past few years, partly thanks to a change in diet. A lot of spotlight is on him now that Naya has joined Ozumo (even more than back when Kotokamatani, son of Sadogatake-oyakata, turned pro), especially now after he has started off his career with a Yusho. @Katooshu has said that he's been very impressed with what he's seen of Saitama Sakae's Saito Daisuke, and results-wise, this has certainly been justified. Saito is the only rikishi in the sanyaku spots to not be in his final year at high school, which effectively means that he starts off 2018 as the best rikishi in high school, at least on paper. Even more impressive is that he's already won a tournament at high school level (last year's Usa Tournament). Amongst the other rikishi on this list are the thin but extremely strong Imazeki Shunsuke, the now-turned-pro Tebakari Toshiki, former Middle School Yokozuna Kamiyama Ryuichi, and the Future Monster duo, Toma Tsuguto and Satoyama Yuki. Team tournament-wise, Saitama Sakae obliterated the competition by winning 2 team competitions out of a possible 4, and when they didn't win, they would still reach the semi-finals. Their strength and depth have been head and shoulders above all other high schools in Japan, and with Saito Daisuke remaining in their team this year, will be difficult to overthrow.

12 universities are regular participants (Waseda and Kanazawa Gakuin being 11th and 12th), with a further 6 who have been involved in at least one national-level tournament

Following on from the High School banzuke, here is the banzuke for University rikishi, which is created by adding up their results in national competitions during the past 12 months. Most of them are fourth (final) year students in University, but there are some who are still in their third year (some are even younger than that). Every banzuke will list the top 42 rikishi in each category. This banzuke takes into account the following tournaments: 34th All Japan College Sumo Uwajima Tournament 57th All Japan College Sumo Usa Tournament 27th All Japan College & Society Sumo Kyushu Tournament 55th All Japan College & Corporate Sumo Wakayama Tournament 7th All Japan College Sumo Kanazawa Tournament 52nd All Japan College Sumo Towada Tournament 65th All Japan College & Corporate Sumo Kariya Tournament 72nd Kokutai (Senior Division) 95th National Student Championships 66th All Japan Amateur Championships But before that, here are the top 10 Universities of the past year, based on their results in the team competitions: 1 - Toyo University (東洋大学), Tokyo 2 - Nihon University (日本大学), Tokyo 3 - Kindai University (近畿大学), Osaka 4 - Chuo University (中央大学), Tokyo 5 - Nippon Sport Science University (日本体育大学), Tokyo 6 - Takushoku University (拓殖大学), Tokyo 7 - Kyushu Institute of Information Sciences (九州情報大学), Fukuoka 8 - Tokyo University of Agriculture (東京農業大学), Tokyo 9 - Doshisha University (同志社大学), Kyoto 10 - Meiji University (明治大学), Tokyo East Yokozuna - Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅), Toyo University, Tokyo West Yokozuna - Kizaki Shinnosuke (木崎 伸之助), Nihon University, Tokyo East Ozeki - Nakashima Nozomi (中島 望), Nihon University, Tokyo West Ozeki - Nishino Tomonori (西野 倫理), Toyo University, Tokyo East Sekiwake - Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴), Nihon University, Tokyo West Sekiwake - Terasawa Itsuki (寺沢 樹), Toyo University, Tokyo East Komusubi - Sato Takashi (佐藤 崇), Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo West Komusubi - Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁), Toyo University, Tokyo East Maegashira 1 - Tanioka Koshiro (谷岡 倖志郎), Kindai University, Osaka West Maegashira 1 - Higo Yuta (肥後 勇太), Kindai University, Osaka East Maegashira 2 - Fukai Takuto (深井 拓斗), Toyo University, Tokyo West Maegashira 2 - Kurokawa Kojiro (黒川 宏次朗), Takushoku University, Tokyo East Maegashira 3 - Furukawa Takahiro (古川 貴博), Nihon University, Tokyo West Maegashira 3 - Watanabe Ryo (渡辺 亮), Kindai University, Osaka East Maegashira 4 - Hashimoto Yukikazu (橋本 幸一), Kyushu Institute of Information Sciences, Fukuoka West Maegashira 4 - Nakajima Ryosuke (中嶋 亮介), Toyo University, Tokyo East Maegashira 5 - Tomisakae Hideki (冨栄 秀喜), Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo West Maegashira 5 - Sugano Yota (菅野 陽太), Chuo University, Tokyo East Maegashira 6 - Takahashi Yamato (高橋 大和), Doshisha University, Kyoto West Maegashira 6 - Nishi Taisei (西 大星), Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo East Maegashira 7 - Ohara Yusuke (大原 佑介), Kyushu Institute of Information Sciences, Fukuoka West Maegashira 7 - Chikahei Keitaro (近平 佳多朗), Chuo University, Tokyo East Maegashira 8 - Nakai Shun (中井 駿), Kindai University, Osaka West Maegashira 8 - Yamaguchi Reo (山口 怜央), Kindai University, Osaka East Maegashira 9 - Tanaka Daisuke (田中 大介), Chuo University, Tokyo West Maegashira 9 - Saito Shin (齋藤 真), Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo East Maegashira 10 - Thurutokutoho ? (トゥルトクトホ), Doshisha University, Kyoto West Maegashira 10 - Purebusuren Derugerubayaru ? (プレブスレン デルゲルバヤル), Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo East Maegashira 11 - Maeda Shogo (前田 将吾), Meiji University, Tokyo West Maegashira 11 - Hiroo Satonari (廣尾 達成), Nihon University, Tokyo East Maegashira 12 - Matsunaga Hisashi (松永 久志), Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo West Maegashira 12 - Katamura Toshiya (片村 敬也), Nihon University, Tokyo East Maegashira 13 - Nishikawa Toki (西川 登輝), Chuo University, Tokyo West Maegashira 13 - Motobayashi Kenji (元林 健治), Kindai University, Osaka East Maegashira 14 - Nishizawa Motoyasu (西澤 元康), Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo West Maegashira 14 - Shigematsu Tatsuhiro (重松 龍大), Toyo University, Tokyo East Maegashira 15 - Imazeki Toshihide (今関 俊英), Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo West Maegashira 15 - Suguro Ibuki (勝呂 歩紀), Takushoku University, Tokyo East Maegashira 16 - Yamanaka Shinya (山中 晋也), Kyushu Institute of Information Sciences, Fukuoka West Maegashira 16 - Shimura Daiki (志村 大器), Takushoku University, Tokyo East Maegashira 17 - Umezaki Seijiro (梅崎 誠二郎), Kyushu Institute of Information Sciences, Fukuoka West Maegashira 17 - Kitagawa Takayuki (北川 貴之), Meiji University, Tokyo Sanyaku Photos East Yokozuna - Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅), Toyo University, Tokyo West Yokozuna - Kizaki Shinnosuke (木崎 伸之助), Nihon University, Tokyo East Ozeki - Nakashima Nozomi (中島 望), Nihon University, Tokyo West Ozeki - Nishino Tomonori (西野 倫理), Toyo University, Tokyo East Sekiwake - Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴), Nihon University, Tokyo West Sekiwake - Terasawa Itsuki (寺沢 樹), Toyo University, Tokyo East Komusubi - Sato Takashi (佐藤 崇), Nippon Sport Science University, Tokyo West Komusubi - Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁), Toyo University, Tokyo Comments So this is it, a month of banzukes have been leading up to this moment, when we reveal the most impressive East Yokozuna of all. SECOND YEAR Shiroyama Seira trumps all other college rikishi to claim the top spot, and this is in addition to his win at last year's Kokutai. Out of the 10 national tournaments during the past year, Shiroyama has reached the semi-finals and beyond 5 times, a truly extraordinary feat. He has already made his mark in the college sumo scene, and will continue to do so for two more years to come. Kizaki rounded off his final college year with a highly consistent performance to claim the West Yokozuna spot, including winning the Kariya Tournament. He has won at least one bout in all 10 tournaments, being the only college rikishi last year to do so. He has since joined Kise Beya, and has started his Ozumo career with a Jun-Yusho from Sandanme TD. Student Yokozuna Nakashima also had a strong year, but a couple of early exits meant that he finished some way behind his Nihon University team-mate Kizaki. Unlike Kizaki however, Nakashima has expressed that he doesn't want to turn pro, but instead would like to become a high school teacher. Other notable rikishi on the list include former Student Yokozuna Kurokawa Kojiro, former High School Yokozuna Yamaguchi Reo, and former Middle School Yokozuna Furukawa Haruki. Incidentally, Furukawa's opponent in that year's Middle School Championship final was none other than Toyo's Terasawa Itsuki, who has now joined Ozumo. It is no surprise that the most successful college sumo team of 2017 is Toyo University, who won 5 out of the 8 team competitions. Their closest challengers were Nihon University, which is appropriate as the 8 sanyaku rikishi include 4 from Toyo and 3 from Nihon. However, whilst Toyo still have Shiroyama, Nishino AND Shiroishi in their team this year (such is their strength and depth), Nihon's Kizaki, Nakashima and the Furukawa twins have all graduated. So can anyone stop Team Toyo this year? Kindai University may have a few things to say about that.

Their scouts have done a very good job, gradually building up to their dominance that we see now. The one that I use is the Japan Sumo Federation's website, which has comprehensive results of most of the main tournaments. The college sumo Uwajima tournament is this weekend, so that would be our first chance to see who has gone where.

That is indeed Mukainagano, who appears to have joined Tottori Johoku. He is two years younger than Toma.

Following on from the Grade 6 banzuke, here is the banzuke for Middle School rikishi, which is created by adding up their results in national competitions during the past 12 months. Most of them are third (final) year students in Middle School, but there are some who are still in their second year. The places listed are not necessarily their home prefectures, but rather where they attended Middle School. Every banzuke will list the top 42 rikishi in each category. This banzuke takes into account the following tournaments: 28th National Middle School Student Championships 47th National Middle School Championships 8th Hakuho Cup East Yokozuna - Mukainagano Shingo (向中野 真豪), Tottori West Yokozuna - Ezure Haruki (江連 春樹), Ibaraki East Ozeki - Takei Sakutaro (武井 朔太郎), Shizuoka West Ozeki - Ochiai Tetsuya (落合 哲也), Tottori East Sekiwake - Narumi Shoma (鳴海 匠馬), Aomori West Sekiwake - Yamamoto Takeru (山本 剛瑠), Mie East Komusubi - Urayama Shusei (浦山 秀誠), Toyama West Komusubi - Ito Yasuki (伊藤 寧), Chiba East Maegashira 1 - Shirakami Reiji (白神 嶺治), Ishikawa West Maegashira 1 - Hanaoka Masaki (花岡 真生), Hanaoka East Maegashira 2 - Sakamoto Hirokazu (坂本 博一), Chiba West Maegashira 2 - Yoshii Ko (吉井 虹), Shizuoka East Maegashira 3 - Shinkawa Taira (新川 大楽), Oita West Maegashira 3 - Kume Kiyoshi (粂 貞), Yamagata East Maegashira 4 - Fujita Kazuto (藤田 一翔), Chiba West Maegashira 4 - Goshima Masaharu (五島 雅治), Wakayama East Maegashira 5 - Nobehara Toma (延原 闘真), Osaka West Maegashira 5 - Kawazoe Fuma (川副 楓馬), Kumamoto East Maegashira 6 - Yada Shota (矢田 翔大), Oita West Maegashira 6 - Kubo Kaishi (久保 海心), Ehime East Maegashira 7 - Sato Kazuki (佐藤 架月), Nagasaki West Maegashira 7 - Tatsunokuchi Naohiro (竜口 尚大), Fukuoka East Maegashira 8 - Lee Bill Christopher (リ・ビル・クリストファー), Kanagawa West Maegashira 8 - Sato Soya (佐藤 綜哉), Miyagi East Maegashira 9 - Kitano Soma (北野 颯馬), Tochigi West Maegashira 9 - Sakaigawa Keisuke (境川 圭佑), Aichi East Maegashira 10 - Omura Akihiro (大村 晃央), Shizuoka West Maegashira 10 - Kawakami Ryusho (川上 竜昌), Kumamoto East Maegashira 11 - Tebakari Taiki (手計 太希), Saitama West Maegashira 11 - Eda Motoki (江田 基騎), Oita East Maegashira 12 - Kiyota Junpei (清田 純平), Fukushima West Maegashira 12 - Soma Kento (相馬 健人), Tochigi East Maegashira 13 - Ishikawa Tsuyoshi (石川 剛), Kochi West Maegashira 13 - Nakajima Daisuke (中島 大輔), Nara East Maegashira 14 - Nakamura Takumi (中村 巧), Yamaguchi West Maegashira 14 - Nakata Daiki (中田 大樹), Saga East Maegashira 15 - Nakazato Tomotaka (仲里 智隆), Okinawa West Maegashira 15 - Ihara Daiki (伊原 大輝), Tokushima East Maegashira 16 - Sato Takanori (佐藤 貴規), Akita West Maegashira 16 - Sato Kazato (佐藤 風翔), Aomori East Maegashira 17 - Kodama Ryo (児玉 亮), Hiroshima West Maegashira 17 - Kodama Yuto (児玉 優翔), Akita Sanyaku Photos East Yokozuna - Mukainagano Shingo (向中野 真豪), Tottori West Yokozuna - Ezure Haruki (江連 春樹), Ibaraki East Ozeki - Takei Sakutaro (武井 朔太郎), Shizuoka West Ozeki - Ochiai Tetsuya (落合 哲也), Tottori East Sekiwake - Narumi Shoma (鳴海 匠馬), Aomori West Sekiwake - Yamamoto Takeru (山本 剛瑠), Mie East Komusubi - Urayama Shusei (浦山 秀誠), Toyama West Komusubi - Ito Yasuki (伊藤 寧), Chiba Comments The very big and poweful Mukainagano Shingo has won every bout thrown his way during the past year bar one. This meant that he won both the Middle School Student Championships and the Hakuho Cup with convincing performances, and is unequivocally the best middle school rikishi last year. The only dent in his otherwise perfect performance was his semi-final loss to Urayama Shusei in the Middle School Championships, the result of a henka I might add. Two championship victories, but no Yokozuna title. West Yokozuna Ezure Haruki had a very consistent year, as he always does. Although he's not as big as some of the others, Ezure is a very skilled rikishi, and knows exactly when to make a move, as was the case in the Hakuho Cup during his road to the final. He'll definitely be one of the names to watch out for in 2-3 years' time in the high school tournaments. Of all the sanyaku rikishi on this list, 7 of the 8 were in their final year of middle school, but not Ochiai Tetsuya. Ochiai was still in his second year, and yet he was already able to hold his own against older opponents. He is strong and hardworking, and will be an invaluable captain for Team Tottori this year, especially as he will be backed up by Narita Rikido. Ochiai once met Hakuho during a Jungyo, who commented that Ochiai had a "good body" for sumo. Both sekiwake can be considered as "小兵力士" (a category of rikishi that Ura and Ishiura are holding the torch high for). They have small bodies for sumo, but underestimate them at your peril. Narumi Shoma is one of the strongest rikishi on the list, and that certainly helped him (along with a bit of luck) on his way to the Middle School Yokozuna title. Yamamoto Takeru, on the other hand, is not as strong, but he certainly knows his way around the dohyo. West Maegashira 1, Sakamoto Hirokazu, is the eldest son of Tokitsukaze-oyakata. He and his brother Sakamoto Shoma are both big names on the amateur sumo circuit, but Hirokazu is definitely the better all-round rikishi. He was integral to Kashiwa Junior Sumo Club's journey to becoming national champions last year, and has looked very good individually as well. Other notable rikishi on the list include Nobehara Toma and Kawazoe Fuma, who were both pitted against Takatoriki on this TV program; Kume Kiyoshi, who has now entered Ozumo; Kitano Soma, who was the club captain of Komatsuryu Dojo last year; and Tebakari Taiki, whose older brother Toshiki joined Sadogatake Beya at the start of 2018.